Stephen Sweeney

Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney has decided to seek re-election to the Gloucester County Board of Freeholders, despite his earlier announcement that he would not run again.  "There is going to come a time for me to leave," Sweeney told the Gloucester County Times on Monday. "I just don't think it's right now."  He’ll run with embattled incumbent Warren Wallace, who was named in the 2006 federal monitor’s report on the UMDNJ scandal.

If Rob Andrews runs for the United States Senate, there would be some competition for his safe Democratic congressional seat in the first district.  Possible candidates would include Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney and Assemblyman Louis Greenwald; both expressed interest in the seat in 2006, when Andrews was a candidate for appointment to the Senate seat that went to Robert Menendez.

U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION HIGHLIGHTS NEED
FOR UPDATED NJ/DELAWARE BORDER PACT

(Paulsboro) - Assemblyman John Burzichelli and Senator Stephen M. Sweeney today said the divided United States Supreme Court decision upholding Delaware's combination of a 1682 map-making decision with its own Coastal Zone Act to block an economic development project in New Jersey underscores the need for the two states to revisit the century-old compact that governs land-use along the Garden State side of the Delaware River.

SWEENEY, ALBANO TO ENSURE PAID LEAVE BILL
PROCEDURALLY SOLID
GOP Parliamentary Games Won't Block Historic Paid Family Leave Measure

(TRENTON) - Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney and Assemblyman Nelson Albano - prime sponsors of legislation (A-873/S-786) to provide a six-week paid benefit to workers needing time off to tend to an ailing family member or a newborn or adopted infant - today released the following joint statement:

When the state Senate pasAFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanechsed paid family leave today by a vote of 22-16, AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech admitted he felt a particular sense of satisfaction after a hard, 12-year trudge.

"We're exhausted, but we're very happy," said Wowkanech, whose outfit numbers 1 million strong in New Jersey, and who remembers first trying to float the idea of paid family leave over a decade ago.

What the Senate passed today was a bill that enables employees to pay into a fund that would allow them to receive compensation while taking up to six weeks off from work to care for their own health or the health of a relative. According to the bill, "an amount not to exceed $25 million may be transferred from the state's temporary disability fund to the new account to support start-up costs." The program is designed to run on the monies employees pay into the funds, which amounts to about $33 apiece annually.

Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo, one of the sponsors of the Assembly version of paid family leave, which came out of committee today. 

The lobbyists' feeding frenzy continued in Trenton today as representatives from both the business and labor communities zeroed in on lawmakers in the hallways of power and attempted to elicit the promise of a yes or no vote on the issue of paid family leave.

The measure would extend state liability insurance to employees for up to six weeks, enabling workers to care for themselves, a newborn or a sick relative. Funding would come from the workers contributing on average a dollar a week from their salaries.

George Norcross, one of New Jersey's most powerful Democratic insiders, has endorsed Barack ObamaBarack Obama today picked up the support of two super delegates from New Jersey as several major Democratic leaders in South Jersey announced that they would switch their endorsements from Hillary Clinton to Obama. Super delegates Donald Norcross, who had previously been uncommitted, and State Sen. Dana Redd, who had backed Clinton, are now for Obama. This is a net pickup of two super delegates for Obama and a loss of one for Clinton.

Obama also won the backing of one of the state’s most powerful political insiders, George Norcross, and was endorsed by Clinton backers, including Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, Democratic County Chairmen James Beach (Camden), Rick Perr (Burlington) and Michael Angelini (Gloucester), Camden Mayor Gwendolyn Faison, State Sen. Frederick Madden, and Assemblyman Paul Moriarty

Despite their losses in 2007, there is a political future for Will Kole, th  Democratic Assembly candidate in the Somerset County-based 16th district, and Mark Cimino, a Republican who ran against State Sen. Steve Sweeney in District 3.

Sonny McCullough said it best in his election night concession speech: “I’d like to congratulate George Norcross.”

Norcross had a very good year for two reasons: he won the two races he was most heavily invested in, and he made tens of millions through the sale of Commerce Bank. The first expands his political power, and the second gives him even greater financial security – something that, in New Jersey, will make him even more powerful.

The General of the South was one of the driving forces behind the elections of Democrats Jeff Van Drew and Jim Whelan to the State Senate. He showed that his money and manpower could oust incumbents – hardly pushovers – in tough races. His ability to raise money – quickly and in large denominations – can stop a team of oxen dead in their tracks. He doesn’t let people tell him no, and gets that few New Jersey politicians have the testicular fortitude to turn him down anyway.

Whelan’s victory, particularly, gives Norcross added clout with the Atlantic City gaming industry. And Asselta’s defeat showed that Norcross’ support is more important than the active endorsement of New Jersey AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech.

After the election, Norcross quickly endorsed a longtime rival, Richard Codey, for Senate President, and then got his man, Steve Sweeney, elected Senate Majority Leader – evidence that the truly successful know how – and when – to use their power. His friendship with Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts gives him incredible sway in both houses of the New Jersey Legislature. His alliance with Senator Raymond Lesniak gives the Norcross machine an embassy in the north.

Norcross faces new challenges in 2008: he is positioning to pick up a congressional seat the Republicans have held since 1884 – maybe even a second one, if Jeff Van Drew runs— and if Frank Lautenberg changes his mind, is well positioned to help Rob Andrews win a U.S. Senate seat.

Assemblyman Joseph CryanWith a few hours to go before the end of the New Hampshire primary, Sen. Hillary Clinton’s statehouse supporters went into full-bore Rudy Giuliani campaign strategy mode, downplaying New Hampshire, and emphasizing the importance of the Feb. 5th primary in New Jersey and 21 other states.

Lagging behind Sen. Barack Obama in Iowa and likely New Hampshire, Clinton's supporters also found a comforting target in the former senator from North Carolina, whom Clinton had excoriated in in self-defense during Saturday's ABC debate.

Assemblyman Joseph Cryan, New Jersey spokesman for the Clinton campaign, said of tonight's primary, "It doesn’t matter whether she wins or loses. What’s going to happen in New Hampshire tonight is you’re going to see John Edwards eliminated. Then it’s going to be Barack and Hillary straight up."

Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney said he doesn’t believe Edwards - a second place finisher in Iowa after Clinton - is done after tonight. "I think they can go to South Carolina (Edwards' birthplace) and he can compete," said Sweeney.